End-of-Year Review - December 2020

*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Welcome

...to the Global Book Alliance 2020 End-of-Year Review!

From the GBA, we want to thank you for supporting our vision of a world in which all children achieve literacy and have access to quality books in a language that they understand with which they can learn to read, read to learn, and develop a love of reading.

As we look back on a unique year, the GBA reflects on how much has been done, and how much is still left to do.

Global Digital Library (GDL)

The Global Digital Library, a flagship initiative of the GBA, is a digital platform where children, their parents, caregivers, and teachers can access books free of charge on any device. In 2020, the GDL added dozens of languages, bringing the total number of languages to 72 (and counting), including two sign languages. Watch for even more languages and sign language initiatives in 2021. Contact us if you are interested in providing content for the GDL.

Book Supply Chain

The GBA works with partners in-country to analyze the book supply chain, from forecasting and planning, to publishing and printing to strengthen the way books are created, procured, and provided to children. In 2020 we conducted book supply chain analyses in four countries (Malawi, Cambodia, Jordan, and Zambia) with support from USAID and in collaboration with GBA partner organizations. Be sure to become a member of the GBA so you will be the first to know when the reports are released.

COVID-19 Response

As a quick response to the COVID-19 crisis and resulting school outages, the GBA consolidated reading resources from a variety of sources at freelearning.io, produced a guidance note on ensuring access to reading materials during the crisis, and undertook a six-week translation sprint with the goal of translating digital children’s books into local languages for students. The GBA also worked to make hundreds of interactive audio/radio lessons available on the newly created GDLRadio.org.

New Faces

The GBA was lucky to add two new members to the Secretariat leadership: Carol DeShano da Silva as Senior Advisor, and Scott Walter as Deputy Chair.

The GBA is seeking a new Chair to begin in 2021 for a three-year term. If you or anyone you know is interested in this opportunity, please apply.

GBA LOOKING FORWARD

The GBA expects next year to be another productive, eventful year. The GBA will release its new strategy in early 2021 and will launch new opportunities for members to become engaged and operationalize the strategy.

International Mother Tongue Language Day - Watch for special programming from the GBA related to this important international day on February 21.

Translation Sprint - After the overwhelming success of the GDL’s translation sprint, the GBA is gearing up for an expanded translation sprint in Spring 2021 - now with a simpler interface, expanded languages, and community quality assurance.

Supply Chain Analyses - Expect to see book supply chain analyses in Tanzania and other countries next year.

Like What You See?

If you enjoyed this End-of-Year Review, please help us spread the word and forward this to colleagues and friends who may be interested and invite them to become GBA members.